HIST 5200 HISTORY OF CHRISTIANITY: EARLY- MEDIEVAL INTERNET SPRING 2016 REX D. BUTLER rbutler@nobts.edu Office: Dodd Building: Office 105 New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary 3939 Gentilly Boulevard New Orleans, Louisiana 70126 504-282-4455 x. 3214 800-NOBTS-01 x. 3214 Home: 4334 Seminary Place New Orleans, Louisiana 70126 504-373-5061 One of the reasons I love teaching is the opportunity to relate to students. We cannot meet in a classroom, but I am accessible through email and by phone. Please feel free to email me or to call me at my office or at my home. I want to help you in any way I can. Call me if you have a problem or a question. Do not wait until it is too late for me to help! This syllabus is subject to minor, necessary or beneficial changes during the semester. Even before students have access to Blackboard, students can begin studying the Unit One PowerPoint lectures, which are located at the bottom of my faculty web page: http://www.nobts.edu/faculty/atoh/butlerr/ The reading schedule is listed at the bottom of this syllabus so that, once students have secured the textbooks, they can begin reading their assignments. I. Mission Statement The mission of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary is to equip leaders to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandments through the local church and its ministries. II. Core Values Focus New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary has five core values: Doctrinal Integrity, Spiritual Vitality, Mission Focus, Characteristic Excellence, and Servant Leadership. This course addresses Doctrinal Integrity specifically in that the course is designed to prepare the student to grow in the understanding and interpreting of the Word of God. Characteristic Excellence is also addressed in that the student should be as prepared as possible to be ministers for Christ. Mission Focus is emphasized in that interpreting the Bible is a key element in presenting the Good News of the Gospel to the world. Proper interpretation is vital in fulfilling the Great Commission. This course addresses the competency of Biblical Exposition by preparing the student to interpret and communicate the Bible accurately. The Core Value for the academic year 2015-2016 is Missions Focus.
III. Curriculum Competencies Addressed The Seminary has seven key competencies in its academic program. They are: Biblical Exposition, Christian Theological Heritage, Discipleship Making, Interpersonal Skills, Servant Leadership, Spiritual and Character Formation, and Worship Leadership. The key competency addressed in this course is Christian Theological Heritage IV. Course Description: This course provides a general historical survey of the Christian movement from its inception through the Medieval period. A brief introduction to historical method and historiography is followed by the study of significant ideas, individuals, movements, and institutions in the rise and development of Christianity prior to the Protestant Reformation. V. Student Learning Outcomes: The student demonstrates an understanding of significant individuals, movements, institutions, and theological concepts in the history of Christianity. The student demonstrates an ability to apply principles learned from the study of the history of Christianity to church and ministry today. The student demonstrates an ability to communicate understanding and application of principles learned from the study of the history of Christianity. VI. Required Texts: There are two required textbooks for this class: Justo González, The Story of Christianity, vol. 1, The Early Church to the Dawn of the Reformation, rev. ed. (New York: HarperOne, 2010). Henry Bettensen and Chris Maunder, eds., Documents of the Christian Church. 4th ed. (New York: Oxford University Press, 2011). There will be additional required reading from primary sources that are available on the Internet.
VII. Requirements: A. Tests: There will be six (6) tests, each worth 25 points, given throughout the semester. The lowest test grade will be dropped. Tests will be available throughout the course and must be completed by midnight on the last day of the unit. Each test will last 20 minutes and be timed. Exams should be taken without notes in front of you. Please study for the test, then take it open memory. You are on the honor system. The final day by which unit requirements must be completed is as follows: Unit 1: February 15 Unit 2: February 29 Unit 3: March 21 Unit 4: April 11 Unit 5: April 25 Unit 6: May 9 B. Assigned Reading: Students are expected to read the assigned pages listed for each unit. A report is due on the last day of each unit on the percentage completed (in 20% increments) of that unit's assigned reading. Each report is worth up to 5 points. Reading Reports are found at the end of each unit's assignments under Course Documents. An additional 5 point bonus will be awarded to students who have completed all the assigned reading by May 9. This allows you to catch up on reading you have missed during the semester. C. Movie Review: Each student will watch a movie, based on the period of the early church and write a historical review. The movie is Quo Vadis (1951), starring Robert Taylor, Deborah Kerr, and Peter Ustinov. This movie might be available at your neighborhood video store, or you can purchase it inexpensively through ebay.com or amazon.com. Or, if you subscribe to Netflix, it is available through that service. Also, it is available in the NOBTS library. Secure this movie in a timely manner to insure that you can submit this assignment on time. In the review, include evaluations of its historical accuracy and value, including any discrepancies that you notice. The review should be 3-4 pages, single-spaced, and is worth 30 points. The movie review is due February 22. D. Major Research Project: Each student will conduct research and prepare a major project on a significant person, movement, event or place in Christian history. This project can be a traditional Research Paper or a PowerPoint Lecture. Submit the paper to me under Assignments and post it on the Discussion Board so that your fellow students will have access to your research and writing. Due April 4. RESEARCH PAPERS The Research Paper will be ten to twelve pages long and should reflect scholarly research. You should discuss the historical context and influence of your subject in church history and conclude with a summary statement about the contributions and lasting consequences of your subject to history. It will be written according to standard guidelines (Turabian; Times New Roman 12 pt. font; double-spaced; standard margins; footnotes, etc.) and include a bibliography of at least six resources (Textbooks, reference books, and the Internet are allowed, but you must consult a minimum of three biographies, monographs, and/or church histories as well).
The Biography/Research Paper will be evaluated as follows: 1. Grammar and style: Spelling, sentence and paragraph development; punctuation; and conformity to the 6 th or 7 th edition of Turabian. (20 points) 2. Clarity and Coherence: Balance; thoroughness; organization; logical development; overall sense of the paper. (20 points) 3. Research: Bibliography; type and variety of sources (primary, secondary, monographs, journal articles, websites, etc.); most bibliographic entries should be accompanied by footnote citations. (20 points) 4. Historical Awareness and Insight: Factual accuracy; awareness of historical connections (continuity/discontinuity, cause/effect, contrasts/comparisons); sensitivity to historical context; awareness of the historical impact of a person. (20 points) 5. Analysis and Evaluation: Going beyond the mere reporting of facts to include explanation, interpretation, analysis of material; evaluation of strengths and weakness of a person; demonstration that you have thought about the material that you have researched. Give strong and insightful introduction and conclusion. (20 points) Suggested subjects are: Ignatius Justin Martyr Irenaeus Tertullian Clement of Alexandria Origen Cyprian Athanasius Arius Constantine Basil the Great Macrina Jerome John Chrysostom Augustine Pelagius Patrick of Ireland Benedict of Nursia Gregory I the Great Mohammed Boniface (Wynfrith) Charlemagne Anselm of Bec Thomas Becket Peter Abelard Bernard of Clairvaux Peter Lombard Leo IX Gregory VII Urban II Alexander III Hildegard of Bingen Innocent III Francis of Assisi Dominic de Guzman Catherine of Siena Thomas Aquinas Boniface VIII John Wycliffe Jon Huss The Interaction of Greek Philosophy & Early Christian Thought The Jewish Revolt (including the destruction of Jerusalem & Masada) The Impact of Persecution & Martyrdom on the Expansion of the Early Church Early Christian Suffering & the Development of Superstitious Practices Voluntary Martyrdom in the Early Church Gnosticism & Its Contemporary Expressions Montanism & Its Later Expressions
Monarchianism & Its Later Expressions The Canonization of the New Testament The Use of Creeds & Apostolic Succession in Establishing Christian Orthodoxy Worship in the Early Church & What We Can Learn from It The Constantinian Symbiosis & Its Impact on the Church The Christology of the Council of Chalcedon The Development of the Worship of Mary in the Early Church Augustine vs. Pelagius Augustine & the Just War Theory The Development of the Roman Papacy The Advance of Islam from 632 to 1095 The Benedictine Rule & Its Impact on the Medieval Church The Great Missionary Monks through the Early Middle Ages The Rise & Impact of Feudalism on the Feudal Church The Rise & Impact of the Cluniac Reform The Causes, Events & Effects of the First Crusade The Rise & Fall of the Legendary Knights Templar Two Papal Crises: The Avignon Papacy & the Great Papal Schism The Contributions & Corruption of the Renaissance Popes The Inquisition Four Theories of the Atonement: Ransom, Satisfaction, Moral, & Penal Substitution A Comparison of Anselm s Ontological Argument & Aquinas Cosmological Argument for the Existence of God An Evangelical Assessment of Roman Catholic Sacramentalism The Impact of the Northern Renaissance on the Reformers You may choose a subject not on this list for your biography, but you must have prior approval from the professor. Send me your top three choices by email. DUPLICATIONS ARE NOT ALLOWED. First come; first served. POWER POINT LECTURES & TEACHING OPPORTUNITIES The student may choose to prepare a Power Point Lecture on a topic chosen from the research topics listed above except that the topic must NOT be one that is given extensive treatment in the existing lectures prepared by the professor. The Power Point Lecture should include approximately 30 slides and must be accompanied by a teaching manuscript. Footnotes are not necessary, but a bibliography must be included. This assignment will be graded on the quality of the research and the design of the Power Point lecture. Each student who selects this option will be expected to teach this lecture in an appropriate setting at church, in a Sunday School or Bible study, small group, or other formal teaching opportunity. The student will send an email to the professor with a report on the date of the presentation, the number in attendance, and an evaluation of the lecture.
The Power Point Lecture is due on the same date as the Major Research Project, and the maximum number of points available for the Lecture alone is 90 points. The email report on the Teaching Opportunity is due by the same day of the Unit Six Exam. E. Interactive Discussions: Each student will participate in five (5) threaded discussions, four of which will be graded. During the time of the unit containing the interactive discussion required, you will enter the discussion at least three times: once near the beginning of the unit and twice toward the end as you respond to your classmates' comments (see above for unit completion dates). Your initial comments express your opinion on the topic. You must then respond to at least two (2) people in each one discussion. This means that for each discussion you will have a minimum of 3 entries. VIII. Penalties: You must submit your initial response to the question by the beginning of the second week of the unit. In this way, you will respond early enough in the unit to allow your classmates to learn from you. Generally, you should submit your replies to other students during the second week of the unit. You will be graded on your contributions to the discussion and on your interaction with what other students have said. It is EXTREMELY important that students remember to use courtesy when critiquing the ideas of their fellow students. Speak truth, but only in love and let your conversations be characterized by grace. The first interactive discussion will not be graded. This will allow you to become familiar with the program. The others are worth 15 points each. The graded discussions will be on the following topics: Unit 1 (not graded): Please describe yourself. Please include your educational background (where you went to school, major), current degree plan, desire for future ministry, and information about your family (married/children/unique experience growing up, etc.). Include only information that you feel comfortable sharing with the class. Unit 2 (graded): In many ways, the early church was strengthened by persecution, but it was also challenged in other ways. What effect would persecution of Christians have on the church in America? Unit 3 (graded): The legalization of Christianity and its union with the state had a tremendous impact on the church in the fourth century. What influence has it had church history since then? Has it had a positive or negative effect? Unit 4 (graded): During medieval times, pilgrimages and relics of the saints gained in popularity. In what ways did they aid Christian devotion and in what ways did they hinder it. Do you see the same influences today? What relics do we have? Unit 5: No Discussion Thread Unit 6 (graded): Evaluate the purposes and consequences of the Crusades. In your opinion, does the conflict between Christians and Muslims during the Crusades influence current hostilities in the Middle East? Unit Exams & Reading Reports: Unit Exams and Reading Reports must be submitted by the date of the unit completion. One unit exam grade will be dropped.
Interactive Discussions: Failure to participate adequately in the threaded discussions and to do so in a timely manner will affect the amount of points awarded. Tardiness: A late written assignment will be assessed a 10 percent penalty if it is submitted after the deadline and a 20 percent penalty after five days. No assignment will be accepted after one week past the deadline. Plagiarism: New Orleans Baptist Seminary maintains high academic standards and is not tolerant of plagiarism. If you copy another author s work and present it as your own, you will be caught, and the penalty could be failure on that assignment or the course or expulsion from the Seminary. IX. Submission of Assignments 1. The Unit Tests, Reading Reports, and Discussion Threads will be conducted on Blackboard. Unit Tests and Reading Reports are under Course Documents and under each respective unit. Go to the Discussion Board to add your Threads. 2. You will submit the Major Research Paper under Assignments and on the Discussion Board. Attach your paper by clicking on the Browse button. The reasons for submitting your paper both ways are: 1) for ease in grading; and 2) to make it available to the other students. I want every student to be able to benefit from each other s research and writing. 3. Please do not send your assignments to me as email attachments unless I request you to do so or unless there is a compelling reason. You may send me an email announcing that you have submitted an assignment, but, if you follow the correct procedures, I will find it. I enjoy hearing from my students, but my Inbox fills up pretty quickly with attachments, and then I have to shift them over to the proper location. X. Possible Points & Grading Scale: Possible Points Grading Scale Reading: 30 pts. A = 320-345 pts. Tests (5 x 25): 125 pts. B = 290-319 pts. Movie Reviews: 30 pts. C = 265-289 pts. Research Project: 100 pts. D = 205-264 pts. Discussion Threads: 60 pts. F = 204 - pts. 345 pts.
XI. Need technical assistance? Contact the ITC today! Selfserve@nobts.edu - Email for technical questions/support requests with the Selfserve.nobts.edu site (Access to online registration, financial account, online transcript, etc.) BlackboardHelpDesk@nobts.edu - Email for technical questions/support requests with the NOBTS Blackboard Learning Management System NOBTS.Blackboard.com. ITCSupport@nobts.edu - Email for general technical questions/support requests. 504.816.8180 - Call for any technical questions/support requests. www.nobts.edu/itc/ - General NOBTS technical help information is provided on this website. XII. Emergency Plan In case of hurricane or any other emergency, go to the seminary web site for information: www.nobts.edu The administration will communicate information that relates to the seminary: the nature of the emergency, instructions for responses, evacuation, contingency plans, duration of the emergency, and plans to return to campus and/or resume the schedule. Also, check Blackboard for instructions related to this class. Because this class is available on Blackboard, there should be minimal disruption unless the emergency affects electrical power and connection to the Internet. In any emergency, communication is important, and our best means of staying connected is through the seminary s web site and Blackboard.
READING SCHEDULE [G] Gonzalez, Justo L. The Story of Christianity. [B] Bettenson, Henry and Chris Maunder. Documents of the Christian Church. [I[ Some primary sources will be accessed via Internet. The web addresses are listed in a separate file. Unit Subject Reading [1] Context G: Introduction & chapters 2-4 Persecution & Martyrdom G: Chapters 5-6, 10 & 12 B: Tacitus, Annales 15.44; Correspondence of Pliny and Trajan I: Ignatius, Letter to the Romans B: Martyrdom of Polycarp I: Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas Ante-Nicene Leaders & Church G: Chapters 7, 9 & 11 I: Tertullian, Apology (Chapters 2, 20) B: Cyprian, On the Unity of the Church Test #1 [2] Heresies G: Chapter 8 B: The Apostle s Creed; Muratorian Canon I: Athanasius, Paschal Epistle Church & State Council of Nicea G: Chapters 13-18 B: Heresies concerning the Person of Christ B: Creed of Nicea and Nicene Creed; Athanasius, On the Incarnation Test #2
[3] Councils 2-4 Nicene & Post-Nicene Leaders Augustine of Hippo Post-Nicene Church G: Chapters 19-23 B: Eutychianism G: Chapters 24-26 I: Augustine, Confessions (Book 8) B: Augustine vs. Pelagius Test #3 [4] Overview of Medieval Christianity Western & Eastern Churches Rise of Islam Medieval Politics G: Chapters 27-28 B: Rule of Benedict G: Chapter 29 I: Excerpt from Qur an Test #4 [5] Monastic Reform Papacy through Gregory VII Crusades Papacy: Zenith to Decline G: Chapter 30 G: Chapters 31-32 B: Pope & Imperial Elections; Bull Clericis Laicos ; Bull Unam Sanctam Test #5 [6] Monastic Developments Scholasticism Sacraments G: Chapter 33 B: Rule of Francis of Assisi B: Anselm, The Ontological Argument from Proslogion ; Cur Deus Homo? B: Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica Renaissance & Humanism Dawn of the Reformation G: Chapters 34-35 I: Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (Book 1, Chapter 1) Test #6
READING SCHEDULE PRIMARY SOURCES ON THE INTERNET UNIT ONE Ignatius, Letter to the Romans http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.v.v.html UNIT TWO Tertullian, Apology (Chapters 2, 50) http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/tertullian01.html Passion of Perpetua and Felicitas http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf03.vi.vi.i.html Athanasius, Paschal Epistle http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf204.xxv.iii.iii.xxv.html UNIT THREE Augustine, Confessions (Book 8) http://www.ccel.org/ccel/augustine/confessions.xi.html UNIT FIVE http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/k/koran/koran-idx?type=div0&byte=1320 You are responsible only to read verses 2.105-140, which include what the Qur an says about Christians. UNIT SIX Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ (Book 1, Chapter 1) http://www.leaderu.com/cyber/books/imitation/imb1c01-10.html#rtftoc13
BIBLIOGRAPHY General History Baker History of the Church. Davidson, Ivor. The Birth of the Church: From Jesus to Constantine, AD 30-312. 2004.. A Public Faith: From Constantine to the Medieval World, AD 312-600. 2005. Heinze, Rudolph. Reform and Conflict: From the Medieval World to the Wars of Religion, AD 1350-1648. 2005. Pearse, Meic. The Age of Reason: From the Wars of Religion to the French Revolution, 1570-1789. 2006. Brown, Harold O. J. Heresies: Heresy and Orthodoxy in the History of the Church. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1998. The Cambridge History of Christianity. New York / Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2005. Cross, Frank and E. Livingstone. Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church. 3d ed. Oxford University Press, 2005. Duffy, Eamon. Saints and Sinners: A History of the Popes. 2d ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2001. Ferguson, Everett. Church History. 2 volumes. Zondervan, 2005-2006. Gonzalez, Justo. A History of Christian Thought. 3 volumes. Latourette, Kenneth Scott. A History of Christianity. 2 volumes. Leith, John H., ed. Creeds of the Churches: A Reader in Christian Doctrine From the Bible to the Present. 3d ed. Louisville: John Knox Press, 1982. Library of Christian Classics. Edited by John Baillie, John T. McNeill, and Henry P. Van Dusen. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1950s. Neill, Stephen. A History of Christian Missions. 2d ed. Penguin, 1991. Olson, Roger. The Story of Christian Theology. InterVarsity Press, 1999. Pelikan, Jaroslav. The Christian Tradition: A History of the Development of Doctrine. 5 volumes. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1971-1989. Walker, Williston, et al. A History of the Christian Church, 4 th ed. Scribner s, 1985.
Early Church Brown, Peter. The Rise of Western Christendom: Triumph and Diversity, AD 200-1000. 2d ed. Blackwell, 2002. Chadwick, Henry. The Church in Ancient Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.. The Early Church. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1967. Di Berardino, Angelo, ed. Encyclopedia of the Early Church. 2 volumes. Oxford University Press, 1992. Drobner, Hubertus. The Fathers of the Church. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 2005. Encyclopedia of Early Christianity. Edited by Everett Ferguson, Michael P. McHugh, & Frederick W. Norris, eds. 2d ed. Garland, 1997. Eusebius. Ecclesiastical History. Hendrickson Publishers Edition. Translated by C. F. Cruse. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1998. Frend, W. H. C. The Rise of Christianity. Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1986. Holmes, Michael. The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations. 3d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007.. The Apostolic Fathers in English. 3d ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006. Jefford, Clayton. Reading the Apostolic Fathers. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1996. Kelly, Joseph Norman Davidson. Early Christian Doctrines. Revised ed. NY: HarperCollins, 1978. Reprint ed. Peabody, MA: Prince Press, 2004. McKechnie, Paul. The First Christian Centuries. InterVarsity Press, 2002. Wilken, Robert L. The Spirit of Early Christian Thought: Seeking the Face of God. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2003. Medieval Christianity Early Medieval Christianity, c. 600-c. 1100. Edited by Thomas F.X. Noble & Julia M.H. Smith. Cambridge History of Christianity. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2008. Hussey, J. M. The Orthodox Church in the Byzantine Empire. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1986. Morris, Colin. The Papal Monarchy: The Western Church from 1050 to 1250. Oxford History of the Christian Church. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.
Riley-Smith, Jonathan. The Crusades: A History. 2d ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2005.. The Oxford Illustrated History of the Crusades. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002. Southern, R. W. Western Society and the Church in the Middle Ages. Penguin, 1990. The Medieval Theologians. Edited by G. R. Evans. Blackwell, 2004. Ware, Timothy. The Orthodox Church. Rev. ed. Penguin, 1993.